Last Friday and Saturday the kids and I went down to Colonial Williamsburg so that I could take another sewing class at the Costume Design Center on Saturday morning.
MY SON MISTAKEN AS EMPLOYEE BY GUEST
Arriving at the Visitor Center, we went to the front desk as always to pick up the weekly schedule.
Since they had run out of schedules, my son said he knew where to find a schedule in one of the shops in the historic area.
After our lovely walk over the time machine bridge, through some trees, under a bridge by the pond, my son walked in to one of the shops then soon came out with one of the schedules.
As I reached for it, another guest tried to beat me to the schedule!
Turns out she thought he was a CW employee distributing schedules.
When I told her he was my son, a guest, purposely finding the schedule for us to use, we laughed.
MY SON MISTAKEN AS EMPLOYEE BY EMPLOYEE
Having received a nice chunk of change from the grandparents for great schoolwork this year, my kids have formed their CW shopping plans.
My daughter is saving her money for another CDC sewing class in August.
My son, however, had plans to spend money at CW that day. First stop was to the Silversmith Shop.
On the way, we passed an Orientation Interpreter distributing broadsides for Revolutionary City, which was already in progress.
We walked up to her, reaching for a broadside.
However she told us since the kids were employees, we could go on in.
Puzzled, we told her we were only guests.
Surprised, she said the kids carried themselves so well, she thought my son was part of the fife and drum corps.
We all laughed.
MY SON MISTAKEN AS AN EMPLOYEE BY A SECOND EMPLOYEE
On the Fourth of July, my son had talked to the master engraver about possible options to have his fife case engraved.
With elaborate designs in mind, my son simplified them after hearing the 3-digit price tag.
Now with a simpler scrolly monogram that he sketched in hand, he submitted his order.
When he payed for his order, she said she was applying the employee discount, so he told her he was a guest.
Surprised to hear that, she thought he was part of the fife and drum corps!
After he explained he was a guest, she told me she assumed we were employees, since she sees us all the time.
No, we’re just guests making day trips or using our hotel points.
She told me to check the CW web site for job postings so we can just live there!
MY SON FITTING IN LIKE AN EMPLOYEE
After Revolutionary City, we went to Tarpley’s where my son had his Lafayette hat fashioned by Miss Penny.
His latest Tarpley’s venture entailed trying to purchase a new fife book.
Because they keep going out of stock, he frequently pops in to say hi, and check for the book’s availability.
Since he does that often, the Tarpley employees all know his name (sounds like a tv show!)
After greeting him by name, they return to their tasks, while my son walks directly to the music section to check for his music book.
This time it was on the shelf! Fife music book secured!
He had fun trying out new tunes all weekend.
After picking up my Costume Design Center sewing class ticket at the Lumber Store, we enjoyed our picnic lunch under some trade trees.
SPECIAL TOUR OF GOVERNOR’S PALACE
Then we walked to the Governor’s Palace because a friend told me about the new special tours given by the Actor Interpreters.
While we sat on benches near the palace gate, the Orientation Interpreter gave his introduction to the palace and included us in it.
Orientation Interpreter remembered acting with my son
He said we’ve been there a few times before, hadn’t we?
“Well, yes, a few times,” I smiled.
He remarked that he was in a special scene at the Coffeehouse with my son a few months ago.
Ohhhhh! Yes, he looked familiar from the pictures I took of that opportunity my joined him with last winter.!
After receiving the history of the palace, he took us inside to be seated, while we awaited the steward, portrayed by one of our favorite actors!
Mr. Woolsey gives us a tour
Mr. Woolsey wove a fabulous story with his job as a steward.
Cleverly embracing the summer heat, he explained the unusually balmy July-like day in January put them to work covering fireplaces!
After explaining the boundaries of Virginia, much different in his time than ours, he noted my “well-dressed” kids.
Whereas the rest of us looked like we came from the Western frontier.
As we walked through the palace, servants throughout the many halls, rooms, and passages commented on my kids’ proper attire.
Mr. Woolsey explained that the royal governor’s family were at Bruton Parish Church for the christening of their daughter, so he could show us around.
When talking about the coat of arms, he mentioned the symbols on the dexterous side and the sinister side.
Normally I would have thought he was pulling our legs with those terms, but I’ve been studying Latin with my kids.
Recently my daughter and I learned those words.
Dexterous is right and sinister is left, a reference to the ancient days, when right handedness was seen as better than left handedness, which carried into the 18th century.
Although Mr. Woolsey was not technically permitted to take us upstairs, you know how things go.
Since the family is away the mice will play.
I mean he could let us go if we promised not to touch anything thing!
Ball gowns and ball rooms
As we entered a bedroom, we saw this gorgeous gown laying on the bed.
Mr. Woolsey told us about the ball that evening.
Towards the end of the tour, we stood in the ballroom surrounded by giant paintings of monarchs.
While describing the deeds of the man on the back wall, he asked if anyone knew who he was.
My son said Charles. Mr. Woolsey was impressed.
He asked which Charles. My daughter said the II. Mr. Woolsey was impressed again!
JUST MISSED PATRICK HENRY AT THE CAPITOL
After the Palace Tour we went to the Capitol, which is also doing special Actor Interpreter tours.
However, we just missed Patrick Henry!
Can you imagine taking a tour of the Capitol with him?
Does he stand in the exact spot where he stood in the House of Burgesses to give his infamous Caesar Brutus speech?
PICKING UP NEWLY ENGRAVED FIFE CASE AT THE SILVERSMITH
After that my son picked up his fife case, handsomely engraved with his monogram, then we went to see General Lafayette review the troops…except a deluge of rain broke the torrential heat and humidity, keeping us at bay for a while.
The next day was clear, sunny, and again hot and humid.
HISTORIC SEWING CLASS
While at the sewing class the kids patiently waited, while watching all the action of needles going through satin!
LAFAYETTE MET PETER FRANCISCO, THE AMERICAN HERCULES
Then we were off to see Lafayette, my kids’ request after patiently sitting through 4 hours of my historic stitching class.
After the presentation my son asked Lafayette if he had ever met Peter Francisco, (dubbed The American Hercules on a recent Colonial Williamsburg podcast).
Now we learned the rest of the story, from Lafayette’s experience of having met him after the Battle of Brandywine.
For more photos, check my Flickr set.
